Crop Duster's Association

[Col Hogan]

I certainly don't mind. Just for the record, the mainline for the fertilizer pickup will run
across the entire board very similar to the picture here. There may be some slight
terrain and foliage differences since this is what I'm using for my testing.
I wanted to feel like it would be close to prototypical. And I might add that all of the
assets and dependencies should be available on the DLS - using, of course, the Trainz '04,
and UTC. Many of the aircraft assets are dated back to the days before SP2 for all us
2004 users.

Also, some of the older stuff will be updated as I have done for a couple of items and those
will be uploaded to the DLS as soon as I get approval (a little later on) from two of the
creators.


Here's the birdz-eye view for the mainline.

Not sure yet if it will run N-S or E-W.


Ken

[thegrindre]

Ken,
WARNING: Be careful how close you place stuff to the edge of your board. A merging of two routes could destroy the whole edge area, buddy. You should move things in a few squares. Remember our/my experimenting with merging?
Although, I may not have shared this with you... If I remember correctly, 5 or more squares is a safe distance from the edge.

[Col Hogan]

I do understand from our earlier route. You did indicate about the edges being too close.
What you see here is my prototype for my own use. I do get carried away with details
even on my set-up board. You can rest assure that once the board is ready and will be
decorated properly, the edges will be shown about 4 to 5 blocks inward.

More noteworthy -
My intention is to have the Crop Dusters set up with all the dependencies including the
plane and industries. I suppose it would be more kin to a Session than a Surveyor mode.
However, it should come well equipped with everything coming from the DLS.

Thanks, BTW, for the reminder of the board size.

Ken

[Col Hogan]

Well, here it is a month later and no visual updates to speak of.
Looks like the crop dusting may have fallen by the way-side in lieu of
another small project of a "logging-nature" I just can't stay away from it.

If there is someone who wants to help with ideas and design, I'll be glad to
pick it back up. I COULD do the whole thing but thought this might be something
two people would enjoy doing. At least two different ideas would be employed.

Speak up if you want it to keep going.

Ken

[Pencil]

I'm still (slowly) working on the DeHavilland. It's taking me some time to learn Blender, but the tool appears like it will be worth the effort. I'm on the UV unwrap part now, which can take some time even when I know the tool....

[Pencil]

It has been a long time, but here's an update on the biplane (click for a larger pic). She's back in-game after her trip to Blender for texturing. I still need to add more details (wires, prop, etc), as well as lods and a shadow, but progress has once again been made......

[Ethan Stone V&T Man]

Nice V & T rightaway

[Col Hogan]

Hey Curtis

I'm surprised, but glad to see you're still at it.
Surprised - Because it has been a little while.
Glad - Because I wondered if it would "get off the ground eventually"

Since my last entry, the PC crashed (got too greedy with some freebies and found a few pieces of bacteria ! ! ! !) BSOD came quick.
Re-formatted the whole thing and am now being more careful.

However, even as much as you are still doing, I have another question forya . . . .
I am looking for a nice piece of bridge-track for 30ng and cannot find one that is '04 original. Would that be a side item for you
one of these days ?

If there is an old Oak version and a close one to Redwood. I have several bridges that have been re-skinned and I have re-colored
a few with a Redwood color and looks rather nice. It's actually a new-looking bridge and the Redwood really stands out.

Just a little curious and thought I'd ask.

Ken

[Pencil]

Hi Ken
Sure, I can add bridge track to the list. How long do you want the ties? If you send me some texture files you'd like matched, I can do that, also.
Curtis

[Col Hogan]

Curtis, you're a good man, bud. Thanks for the offer. I have included a couple of textures
that have come from Ben Dorsey and all I did was to shade one up a little to resemble more
of a Redwood version. As far as the length of the ties - I guess they should be about the size
of your Ophir Mine Trestle or even shorter. It's hard to say, off-the-cuff.

You'll do fine, I'm sure. And, BTW, if you would, make the rails as dependencies in case
we need to change them out later and of course they have to be rusty-red.

That's all. Not much on the plate of needs.

Ken

wood3.jpg (21.57 KiB) Viewed 69116 times

This is Ben's original Old Wood texture

wood2.jpg (20.76 KiB) Viewed 69116 times

This is my Redwood version

Are these okay to send for you or would you need another ZIP file as a separate attachment ?

[Pencil]

Those pictures are fine, Ken. If you want to be able to swap in different types of rail, perhaps it would be better to model the ties into the bridge, and use rail-only track?

[Col Hogan]

I see your point Curtis. Good idea. I'm not sure how to model the ties into the bridge since
that would be an undertaking for each one. However, having two types of bridge rail would
seem more suitable for me. If I've missed the point, let me know.

I have noticed that some of the plate girder-type bridges have a more heavy, squared look
about them and as I look further, there are many types of bridge rail depending on the
bridge. Sorry to be such a headache.

Since this is your quest, I will be glad for any of the products you pursue. I am also slightly
curious - would these be items you would consider as new releases from your site ?

Ken

[Pencil]

Sorry for the delay; try these:

bridge_track.zip

(271.16 KiB) Downloaded 2358 times

Grey track KUID is <kuid2:124060:32059:1>
Red track KUID is <kuid2:124060:32047:1>

And sure, I'd be happy to host anything you'd like

[Col Hogan]

Hi Curtis
As you can see by the foto below, the bridge track turned out just fine. Thankyou very much.
Once I put them to work on a few of the bridge-splines that I already have renovated, I will send
a new foto of the finished product.

Bridge Track.jpg (57.69 KiB) Viewed 69079 times

(Couldn't figure out the right size, so 800x600 had to be it)

Now, what I would like to do once I have them all fixed up, I would like to offer them in some
30ng packages using Redwood and the Old Knotty-Pine versions for your download area so
that many of us can have access to more bridge options than we have now.
Of course you would have to approve the CDP file first.
Thanks for that little hint of confidence, too.

Ken

[Pencil]

OK, I did some minor cleanup and sent the ng30 bridge track to the DLS. I expect they will be ready in a day or two.